Can Aquarium Plants Grow in Rocks?

by dante on July 30, 2018

Is it possible to grow plants in rocks? Some people may think this is a ridiculous idea to do, but the fact is that some plants can be developed in rocks. That is aquarium plants or they are also called aquatic plants.

When you have recognized that aquarium plants can grow in rocks, you will know some stories behind your aquarium. By doing this, you also grow some species in your aquaria such as small fishes and turtles to make a small decoration in your home are more beautiful.

Some common aquarium plants could be grown in the aquariums with rocks or wood

Crystalwort (or it is also called Riccia Fluitans)

Crystalwort is a great type of aquarium plant and it often does not need rigorous care. Generally speaking, Riccia Fluitans could be found anywhere in the world such as Japan, Europe, Thailand, or Singapore. Japanese is the best wild place to get submerged growth.

When floating, it will quickly grow in a shapeless, harshly globular, and slightly pressed down form. Nonetheless, the most common method of getting this plant is to put it into rocks and woods as well along with a thin wire.

After an astoundingly short period of time (around 2 weeks), the thread will be fully done by the plant. It also could be used as a carpet plant to keep your tank clean if there are some stones or threads available on. The consequence effect will be a well-groomed lawn or a covered rock.

Java Fern

Java Fern is a floating aquarium plant from Southeast Asia which is found in the wild with quick currents.

Like Crystalwort, this plant does not need complicated demands and looks bright even in the under a low condition of light and water. Nonetheless, it still needs fertilizer to make the plant looks greener. If not, leaves will turn black and ugly.

Ferns could be grown in a small group or individual only. However, it prefers a stream of water.

They will be stronger and healthier in the middle of aquatic plants and decoration. This is because they cannot develop taller to block the view of plants behind them.

Please note that fern will not have root if you put it into gravel or other substrates.

Magenta Water Hedge

Magenta Water Hedge comes from the Amazon in South America and it has total 170 identified species. This is also known as the easiest species to grow and continue for a new aquascape.

Though you enable to grow it in other conditions, it still becomes a true Magenta Water Hedge when you put this plant in a perfect environment with light, acidic water and appropriate source of CO2.

The purple color offers an efficient contrast to several green aquarium plants in your aquaspace. You can see it is commonplace in the groups of a plant with many backgrounds. It is also considered to fasten the plant on a regular basis. This will help your plant germinates more side shoots and is thicker.

Java Moss

Java Moss is also one of the most popular species used in aquariums and a true option for any aquarist, new users, and experienced persons as well.

For those who are the first time of owning an aquarium in-house, you should raise Java Moss in advance. This is easy to develop and the plant enables to permit a wide range of water conditions.

Some criterions to consider when planting something in your aquariums

Lighting

A proper light is indeed to develop and keep plants in a good physical condition such as Java Ferns, Moss, and some basic stem plants. This will be 2 wattages per gallon is a perfect choice. For instance, if your aquarium is 50 gallons, you would use around 100 wattages of light.

Aquarium filter

All tanks need to have biological and mechanical filtration to keep the inside environment healthier.

The aquarium filter also helps in inflating the water. To effectively hold an aquarium, a filter should run all the water inside the tank around 4 times in each hour. Most of the small and medium aquariums run well with strong filters or a UGF. And canister filters are more suitable for larger aquariums.

Nutrients

Like fishes, plants also need to receive some basic nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and so on.

You should realize that your tank does not have fixed nutrients and you need to add some liquid plant fertilizer like Seachem Flourish which offers the plants with essential nutrients. For instance, Anubais and Java Fern will consume the water column straightly.

Carbon dioxide

CO2 is also a practical factor affecting the development rates and health of plants in your tank. Many experienced aquarists use CO2 canisters which spread out the aquarium. This works perfectly but the price is expensive.

If your budget is not available for the cost, you will need to utilize DIY CO2 to help yeast interacts with sugar in a Coke bottle.

Or you may try a product like seachem flourish excel, a liquid that gives a different structure of carbon for the plant and similarly works.

Can aquarium plants grow in rocks? Of course, you will see some plants do its way. Apply this phenomenon to get more ideas to decorate your tank – why not?